Mother Teresa — Biography

The life and legacy of Mother Teresa.

# Mother Teresa: A Life of Service

Mother Teresa was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, in what is now North Macedonia. She was the youngest child of Nikola and Drana Bojaxhiu, who were of Albanian descent. Her father was a successful merchant and politician, while her mother was deeply religious. Growing up in a devout Catholic family, Anjezë developed a strong faith from childhood. She attended a Jesuit church and was inspired by missionary accounts, eventually deciding at age twelve that she would dedicate her life to serving God through religious work.

In 1928, at age eighteen, Anjezë left her family and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish-based religious congregation. She took the religious name Sister Mary Teresa after Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. For nearly twenty years, she taught geography and history at Saint Mary's High School in Calcutta, India. In 1946, during a train journey, she experienced what she described as a spiritual calling to work directly with the poorest of the poor.

In 1950, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation dedicated to serving the destitute. She began working in the slums of Calcutta, establishing a home for the dying, Nirmal Hriday, which became her signature achievement. The organization expanded rapidly, opening orphanages, schools, and medical clinics throughout India and eventually worldwide. By the time of her death, the Missionaries of Charity operated over 600 missions across 123 countries.

Mother Teresa became an international figure, traveling extensively to raise awareness and funds for her work. Her simple white and blue sari, worn out of solidarity with the poor, became iconic. She received numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, which she accepted to draw attention to issues affecting the poor rather than for personal recognition.

Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, at age eighty-seven from heart and kidney complications. Her death came just days after Princess Diana's passing, reflecting the global impact of her life. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003 and canonized as a saint by Pope Francis in 2016.

Mother Teresa's historical significance lies in her pioneering work with marginalized populations and her demonstration that individual commitment could create meaningful social change. Her life challenged perceptions of poverty and human dignity, influencing global approaches to humanitarian work and inspiring millions to consider service as a spiritual calling.